Epson Stylus Pro 9800 Ink Jet printer : The new Epson Stylus Pro 9800 Ink Jet Printer with New Epson UltraChrome K3 Inks mark defining moment in history of photography and professional graphics new professional Wide-Format printer use color and unique Three-Level Black Ink System to create highest quality archival black and white images. Epson is once again advancing its printing technology into new territory for professional photographers and graphic artists with the launch of the Epson Stylus Pro 9800, and new Epson UltraChrome K3 ink technology. The combination of this new printer and archival inks not only gives today's most demanding professionals an almost infinite degree of black and white image control.

Stylus Pro 9800 - No limitations
"By combining the high-precision of a new Epson Stylus Pro print engine with the extraordinary performance of Epson UltraChrome K3 ink technology, today's most discerning creative professionals have the tools to express their true creative visions," said Mark Radogna, group product manager, professional graphics, Epson. "Whether an artist's goal is to create the best exhibit-quality color prints possible or world-class black and white photography, their only limita-tions will be talent and imagination."

Epson Stylus Pro 9800 printer - Increased image quality
Inspired by Epson's past generations of pigmented inks, Epson UltraChrome K3 uses higher density pigments designed to increase image quality for both professional color and black and white prints. In addition to cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan and light magenta, Epson UltraChrome K3 features a unique three-level black ink system that simultaneously uses black, light black and light-light black inks. This technology is designed to create professional neutral and toned black and white prints without color crossover or color casts. It also reduces the effects of metamerism or bronzing often associated with basic pigment chemistry. Furthermore, Epson's proprietary driver and screening technology offer users a unique method for converting color digital images into professional quality black and white prints. Epson UltraChrome K3 also produces higher degrees of color fidelity and uses a new high-gloss Microcrystal Encapsulation resin chemistry to create prints with greater scratch resistance and reduced gloss differential. These prints are rated to resist fading up to 108 years for color prints and more than 200 years for black and white prints on specific Epson papers.

Epson Pro 9800 Ink Jet printer - Ink modes
The Epson Stylus Pro 9800 offers users two unique ink modes - Photo Black and Matte Black - that are designed to optimize the level of black ink density on different types of media. The Photo Black ink mode can be selected to help maximize the deepness and richness of black tones on glossy/luster media such as Epson's Premium Luster. The Matte Black mode uses a different black density to maximize the deepness and richness of black tones on fine art surfaces such as Epson's Velvet Fine Art, Enhanced Matte and UltraSmooth Fine Art.

Epson Stylus Pro 9800 - Fast Ink Jet printer
Epson's new high-performance, one-inch wide print head features 180 nozzles per channel and can achieve resolution levels up to 2880 x 1440 dpi with variable-sized ink droplets as small as 3.5 picoliters. The Epson Stylus Pro 9800 offer print speeds approximately two times faster than his predecessor, the Epson Stylus Pro 9600. Photo lab-quality 44" x 60" prints can be printed in approximately 42 minutes, 30 seconds (using 1,440 x 720 dpi - HS mode). Epson has enhanced its manufacturing process to include colorimetric calibration. A technology called Epson PreciseColor evaluates each printer's output during the manufacturing process and automatically fine tunes each printer's settings to ensure consistent color output from one printer to the next. Setup time is also greatly reduced by a built-in auto head alignment feature. This technology uses a built-in white beam sensor that automatically scans printed alignment patterns created by the printer and then makes automated adjustments if necessary. The same white beam sensor is also used to detect clogged nozzles and automatically activate head cleaning cycles if necessary.

Epson 9800 Ink Jet printer - Professional Media Handling
The Epson Stylus Pro 9800 can handle virtually any type of media, either in rolls up to 44 inches wide or cut sheets between 8" x 10" and 17" x 22". Both cut-sheet and roll media are loaded via the printers' straight-through media path. An optional automatic take-up reel system is also available exclusively on the Epson Stylus Pro 9800 for unattended production of large print runs. There are four ways to load media, which include an adjustable roll feed for 2-inch and 3-inch cores, a high-capacity cut-sheet tray for up to 50 sheets of photographic media, top manual feed, and straight-through front manual feed capable of handling up to 1.5-millimeter-thick poster board. The Epson Stylus Pro 9800 also supports printing on both sides of the media without damaging the previously printed side and has a built-in media cutter that automatically trims top and bottom edges of roll media safely and accurately to produce full-bleed images on all four sides.

Epson 9800 printer - Intelligent High-Capacity Ink technology
Each of these new printers' ink cartridge channels/slots can handle either 110 ml or 220 ml cartridges (or a combination of both sizes) that can even be replaced in the middle of a print job. Each cartridge uses Epson's Intelligent High-Capacity Ink technology, a feature that stores a variety of information on a memory chip and communicates the data to the printer whenever the power is turned on. Also, the printers use built-in memory to track key print job statistics such as ink levels, ink usage, remaining media, print times, data file names, user names and print dates.

Epson Stylus Pro 9800 printer - Superior Connectivity and RIP Support
The Epson Stylus Pro 4800, 7800 and 9800 use Epson's professional-level photographic drivers for Macintosh and Windows, allowing for complete density control even when the driver's color management feature is turned off. Printer interfaces include one USB 2.0 port, one IEEE 1394 FireWire port and one expansion slot for an optional 10/100 BaseT Ethernet card. All three printers are fully supported by most leading third-party RIPs.

Epson Pro 9800 Ink Jet printer - Pricing and Availability
The Epson Stylus Pro 9800 is supported by the standard Epson Preferred Limited Warranty. This one-year on-site service can be upgraded to Epson Preferred Plus Service Plans, offering one or two additional years of protection. The Epson Stylus Pro 9800 will begin shipping in Fall 2005 and is respectively priced at $4,995 (estimated street prices), which includes a complimentary stand.

About Epson
Epson offers an extensive array of award-winning image capture and image output products for the consumer, business, photography and graphic arts markets. The company is also a leading supplier of value-added point-of-sale (POS) printers and transactions terminals for the retail market. Founded in 1975, Epson America Inc. is the U.S. affiliate of Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, a global manufacturer and supplier of high-quality technology products that meet customer demands for increased functionality, compactness, systems integration and energy efficiency. Epson America Inc. is headquartered in Long Beach, Calif.